Beverly Hills Bans Most Tobacco Sales Citywide
Gas stations, c-stores may no longer sell tobacco, but cigar bars can.
Jun 06, 2019
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Beverly Hills, the glamourous L.A. suburb, has become the first U.S. city to ban the sale of tobacco products in most areas, according to the L.A. Times.
As reported in NACS Daily last month, convenience stores, gas stations and pharmacies will no longer be allowed to sell tobacco, but tobacco sales remain legal in three exclusive cigar lounges and at local luxury hotels, where guests may acquire them through concierge or room service. The hotel exemption was designed to accommodate tourists.
Gas station owners and other retailers opposed the measure, saying it unfairly targets their businesses and might force employee layoffs. Public health advocates argued that the cost is higher in terms of health.
